Grays Harbor salmon draft policy available for comment

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is asking for public comment through Jan. 9 on draft policies for managing Grays Harbor salmon.

The commission extended public comment on the two policies during discussions at its public meeting Dec. 6-7 in Olympia.

State fishery managers have been working with a citizen committee and the public since October to develop the draft options for a new policy to address conservation and catch allocation for Grays Harbor salmon fisheries.

The goal of the policy is to ensure spawning goals are met for wild salmon returning to the basin and to give anglers and commercial fishers a clearer picture of what fishing opportunities they can expect each year.

The website includes information provided during recent public meetings, along with the dates and times of two additional public meetings scheduled in January.

Written comments on the draft policy may be submitted via email to graysharbor@dfw.wa.gov or by mail to Ron Warren, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.